Tickets still available for Oglesby New Year’s Eve party

Wondering what you’re going to do for New Year’s Eve?  A party sponsored by the City of Oglesby will give you something fun to do Monday night and help raise money for events next summer and fall.

The night includes music and entertainment by Cool 2 Duel dueling pianos, a prime rib buffet and champagne toast at midnight at Celebrations 150.

It costs $100 per couple or $50 per person in advance.  The price increases by $25 at the door.  Doors open at 6pm  with dinner at 7pm.

The money raised will go to support the Summer Fun Fest, the fireworks, and Harvest Fest.

La Salle County Unemployment remains above 10%

The Christmas shopping season created some new temporary jobs but it wasn’t enough to bring La Salle County’s November unemployment figure down much.

November unemployment was 10.1%, slightly lower than in November 2011.  Bureau County saw a strong decrease in unemployment with November’s figure at 8.8% compared to 9.6% in November 2011.

Putnam County unemployment for November was 9.2%, also a decrease from November of last year.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says that the Ottawa-Streator area added jobs in financial activities and wholesale trade but lost jobs in construction.

Retired teacher to run for LPHS board

Would you like to see a fresh face on the LP High School Board?  Five people are running for four open seats in the April 2013 election.

Board President Jim Quesse and Vice President Rick Sipovic will be running to keep their seats along with board members Rose Marie Lynch and Alan Cherpeske.

Former social science teacher Dennis O’Keefe is also in the running.  The terms last four years.

Ottawa Council Settles Grievance With Fire Department

The cost of paying for an extra firefighter on duty versus overtime has the Ottawa City Council and fire union debating back and forth.

Yesterday the council met and agreed to let the Ottawa Fire Department have seven full-time workers on duty every shift instead of six.  Earlier this year, the council cut the staffing back to six because Mayor Bob Eschbach said overtime costs ballooned.  The firefighter’s union in turn filed a grievance claiming the city violated the collective bargaining agreement.  They claimed cutting on-duty staff by one creates a public safety issue.

Eschbach says he and the council will allow seven full-time firefighters on duty starting next month assuming overtime costs don’t get too high again.

Sexual Harrassment At Mendota Fast Food Restaurants

The owner of KFC and Taco Bell in Mendota will shell out thousands of dollars to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ordered Mendota Restaurants Inc., owned by Devang Brahmbhatt to pay 150 thousand dollars to a dozen sexual harassment victims.  The suit was filed last year claiming a manager made sexual advances, contact and lewd comments towards women workers.  The restaurants were also accused of forcing workers out after complaining of sexual harassment.

An attorney prosecuting the lawsuit said many of the harassment victims in Mendota were teenagers.

Hobby Lobby Taking Religious Stand Against Obamacare

Would you do business with or take your business elsewhere from a company based on their religious beliefs?

A U.S. Supreme Court Justice denied a request by Hobby Lobby to block part of the new federal health care law requiring employee health-care plans to offer morning-after pills.  Hobby Lobby sued the government, claiming the mandate violates the religious beliefs of company owners.

However the court said Hobby Lobby failed to meet a legal standard of blocking the requirement on an emergency basis.  Hobby Lobby officials now say they have to decide whether to violate their religious faith or face a daily million dollar fine January 1^st for ignoring the law.

Chik-fil-a made waves earlier this year when they took a stance on opposing gay marriage.  Long lines were seen at their restaurants following the controversial stance.